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Benin's new parliament leader takes office

Xinhua, June 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Benin's new National Assembly chairman Adrien Houngbedji, 73, officially took office here Monday for a four-year term, pledging to push political reform in the African country.

The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of his counterparts from about ten western and central African countries, besides the diplomatic corps to Benin.

"I want to assure of my impartiality and my determination to work for the expression of all opinions, being strongly convinced that everyone will enjoy his freedom in respect for that of others," Houngbedji said, stressing that he will be the chairperson of all.

"Our country, once again, confirms its attachment to democratic changeover. And it has done it in a wonderful way, in achieving the alternation of the majority in its parliament," he said.

Houngbedji said it will be necessary to realize reforms in the parliamentary institution in the next four years so as to give a new boost to Benin's democracy.

"I want to proclaim the absolute necessity for a comprehensive reform of our political system," he said, adding that the reform should lead to a reduced number of political parties, instead of the current two thousand parties.

Houngbedji, of the opposition Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), was elected chairman of Benin's National Assembly in May. He had served twice as head of the African country's National Assembly from 1991 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2003. Endi